How to Use a Needle Threader

If you have a needle threader, it’s time to learn how to use it. It may look like a complicated little gadget but once you learn how to use a needle threader, you’ll be threading needles in seconds.

There are a few different types of needle threaders but they basically work the same way. I’ve used the most common one in the photos below. On one end of the needle threader is a piece of plastic or tin for you to hold onto. The other end has a piece of fine wire that’s bent into a diamond. You’ll be threading through that diamond, which will then be used to insert the thread into the eye of the needle.

The advantage of using a needle threader is that the opening of the needle threader is quite a bit larger than a needle eye, making it easier to put the thread into. It only takes a few minutes to learn how to use a needle threader, and it’s a great basic sewing skill to know.

What You’ll Need:

How to Use the Needle Threader to Thread a Needle:

Hold the needle in your dominant hand and the needle threader in your non-dominant hand. Insert the wire end of the needle threader into the eye of the needle.

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Use your thumb and index finger of your non-dominant hand to hold onto the needle with the needle threader still inserted.

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Pinch the thread with your dominant hand.

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Insert the thread into the wire diamond on the end of the needle threader.

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Pull the end of the thread so you have a few inches trailing out of the needle threader.

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Hold both threads taut, so they are at the end of the wire of the needle threader.

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Now hold the bottom of the needle with your thumb and index finger of your dominant hand.

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Move the threader away from the needle, pulling both ends of the thread through the eye of the needle.

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Pull the needle threader until the tail of the thread (short end) is out of the needle eye.

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Remove the needle threader. Congratulations, you know how to use a needle threader!

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History of the Needle Threader

Needle threaders were invented during the Victorian era, which was a big time for hand sewing. Ever wonder who’s portrait is on the needle threader? Seems like there’s not a definite answer but Queen Victoria is a solid guess, with some arguments for Athena.